Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion SPH3U I. Introductory Covering over 70% of the earth 's surface, water is one of the most amazing energy sources. From olden times, people had previously utilized the force of the waters in order to crush grain or help them to do their work more efficiently. Since then as a power source, water draws a lot of attention due to the efficient manner in which it gets to produce electricity. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a method introduced in 1881 that employs naturally occurring temperature differences between warmer water and colder deep seawater (Thomas, 1993). Since its main source, which is water, is freely provided by nature. OTEC can be a feasible source of cost effective renewable energy in tropical coastal regions that have high shipping costs for fuels and goods. II. OTEC System Ocean thermal energy conversion generates electricity indirectly from solar energy by harnessing the temperature difference between the sun-warmed surface of tropical oceans and the colder deep waters (Masutani and Takahashi, 2001). To be effective a minimum temperature differences between the ocean surface layers is 20°C. These temperature gradients exist primarily in specific tropical regions near the equator (Takashi and Trenka, 1996). Originally proposed by French Engineer Jacques Arsene d 'Arsonval in 1881, OTEC have developed for years along with advancements that have made in this technology. The three most common OTEC systems are open cycle, closed cycle and hybrid cycle, all requiring all requiring a working fluid, condenser and evaporator within the system. These three systems all employ the thermodynamics of a working heat exchanger and use the temperature differences naturally occurring in the ocean as the driving force. A. Closed-Cycle D 'Arsonval 's original concept formed the first closed-cycle OTEC plant system. This cycle uses a working fluid with a low-boiling point, usually
References: Masutani, S. M., & Takahashi, P. K. (2001). Ocean Thermal Energy Conservation (OTEC). 2001 Academic Press, 1993-1999. DOI:10.1006/rwos.2001.0031 OTEC News (n.d) Retrieved December 16, 2012. from http://www.otecnews.org Takahashi, Patrick & Trenka, Andrew. “Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion,” John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 1996. Volume 1, 17 – 23, 2008